From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Gaza flotilla accuses Israel of ‘intimidation’ as it nears possible interception
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A flotilla carrying aid meant for Gaza says it will continue its course despite what it calls “intimidation tactics” by the Israeli military.
The flotilla of 45 vessels carrying activists and politicians, including Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg, departed Spain last month with the aim of breaking the Israeli blockade on Gaza and delivering humanitarian assistance there.
“In the early hours of this morning, Israeli occupation naval forces launched an intimidatory operation against the Global Sumud Flotilla,” the organizers say in a statement as the vessels approached waters off Egypt, where previous attempts have been intercepted.
Footage posted to social media from the flotilla earlier today appeared to show an Israeli Navy patrol boat passing one of the vessels.
One of the flotilla’s principal vessels, the Alma, “was aggressively circled by an Israeli warship for several minutes,” says a statement by the group, whose name means “steadfastness” in Arabic.
“Shortly after, the same naval vessel targeted Sirius, repeating similar harassing maneuvers for an extended period of time — before finally departing,” the statement adds.
Marie Mesmeur, a French lawmaker from the far-left LFI party who is on board the Sirius, told AFP that she saw at least two unidentified ships, one of which was “very, very close.”
There was also “a military patrol boat with a huge light pointed at us,” she says, explaining that during the incident, all radar and internet communications on the boat were cut off.
In another statement on X, the flotilla said it remained “vigilant as we enter the area where the previous flotillas were intercepted and/or attacked.”
Israel has depicted the flotilla as a publicity stunt, and has already blocked two attempts by activists to deliver aid by ship to Gaza in June and July. This flotilla has rejected calls to drop off the aid and have it be delivered.
In June, 12 activists on board the sailboat Madleen, including Thunberg, were intercepted by Israeli forces 185 kilometers (115 miles) west of Gaza.
“We sail on undeterred by Israeli threats and tactics of intimidation,” the flotilla added in its statement.
The Times of Israel Community.